Writing scares beginners less than speaking, but it catches them out more quietly. At A1, you write only a few short sentences, so people assume it is easy and skip practice. Then on exam day, they freeze over a form field or run out of ideas for a 30-word message. Over 15 years of coaching beginners DELE A1 in Noida and online, I have found that A1 writing is almost purely a matter of preparation: the tasks are tiny and predictable, so a little focused work goes a long way.
Let’s break down exactly what you write, what the examiner rewards, and how to get it right without overthinking.
What Is the DELE A1 Writing Test, and Who Is It For?
The DELE A1 writing test is a 25-minute paper that assesses your ability to produce very short, simple texts about yourself and everyday life. You complete a personal form and write one brief message. It suits absolute beginners earning their first Instituto Cervantes diploma.
The bar is deliberately low. The examiner wants a few correct, relevant sentences on paper: your personal details, and a short note to a friend about your routine or plans. You do not need linking words, complex tenses, or a rich vocabulary. Many beginners over-complicate this and lose marks by attempting sentences they cannot control. Our complete A1 to B2 DELE preparation keeps your writing simple and accurate, and the DELE A1 preparation drills the exact grammar this paper needs.
DELE A1 Writing Exam at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exam component | Expresión e interacción escritas (Writing) |
| CEFR level | A1 (Beginner) |
| Duration | 25 minutes |
| Number of tasks | 2 tasks (tareas) |
| Task 1 | Complete a form or short questionnaire |
| Task 2 | Short personal text of about 25 to 40 words |
| Skills assessed | Task completion, basic accuracy, being understood |
| Scoring group | Group 1, with Reading |
| Official provider | Instituto Cervantes |
DELE A1 Writing Scoring and Passing Marks
Writing is marked with Reading as Group 1 and is worth 50 points. Listening and Speaking make up Group 2, also 50 points. You need at least 30 out of 50 in each group and 60 out of 100 overall. Measured against the CEFR level descriptors, A1 only asks you to write a few correct, relevant sentences, so this paper is very winnable with light, regular practice.
Your DELE A1 Writing Prep Flowchart
6 Steps to a Confident A1 Writing Score
| 1. Build one flexible "about me" text (40 words) |
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| 2. Practise filling forms fast (name, age, job) |
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| 3. Learn 5 openings & closings (¡Hola!, Un saludo) |
| ▼ |
| 4. Write one short message daily (25-40 words) |
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| 5. Get it corrected (fix repeated errors) |
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| ✓ Time yourself & check every point — writing-ready |
The Two DELE A1 Writing Tasks, Explained
Tarea 1: The form. You complete a form or questionnaire with personal data: name, age, nationality, address, profession, languages, and hobbies. Sometimes you answer short questions about yourself. The skill here is accuracy in small details. Spell carefully, match each answer to the right field, and never leave a blank.
Tarea 2: The short message. You write a short personal text of roughly 25 to 40 words on a familiar topic. Typical prompts include introducing yourself to a new Spanish friend, writing a postcard from a trip, describing your daily routine, or sharing weekend plans. The examiner wants a clear opening, every required content point, and a simple closing.
The key to Tarea 2 is hitting every content point. If the prompt asks for your name, where you are from, and what you like, make sure all three appear. Missing a content point costs more than a small grammar slip.
Syllabus: Grammar, Vocabulary, and Functions for A1 Writing
For A1 writing, you need present-tense verbs (ser, estar, tener, gustar, ir), basic connectors (y, pero, porque), correct gender and number agreement, basic prepositions, and simple sentence connectors (y, o, pero, también). You must be able to formulate questions and negative sentences.
Think of your toolkit as a small, reliable set. You introduce yourself with “soy” and “me llamo.” You describe with “es” and “está.” You express likes with “me gusta.” You talk about plans with “voy a” plus an infinitive. That handful of structures covers almost everything this paper asks.
Vocabulary areas tested include personal data, family, home, daily routines, food, clothing, transportation, weather, and leisure activities. Functional writing tasks involve providing personal information, describing people and places, expressing likes and preferences, and making simple invitations or requests.
After you’ve worked through the writing prompts, strengthen your overall A1 profile with the DELE A1 speaking preparation, DELE A1 listening skills breakdown, and the Spanish A1 reading comprehension guide.
Model DELE A1 Sample Papers, Practice Questions and Answers
For Tarea 1, imagine a form that asks for Nombre, Edad, Nacionalidad, Profesión, and Idiomas. You simply write: Rohan / 22 / India / estudiante / hindi, inglés, español. Clean, accurate, complete. No full sentences needed unless the field asks for them.
Sample Tarea 1: Completa la ficha de inscripción para un curso de español.
- Nombre: ___________________
- Edad: _____
- Correo electrónico: ___________________
- ¿Por qué estudias español? ___________________
Your answers should be brief: “Viajar a España” or “Por mi trabajo.”
Sample Tarea 2: “Tu amigo te pregunta sobre tus vacaciones. Escribe un mensaje de WhatsApp (25-35 palabras). Di: “¿Dónde estás, con quién y qué haces por las noches?”
Response: “Estoy en Máncora con mi hermana. Por las noches cenamos en restaurantes y paseamos por la playa. Es muy bonito.”
The examiner checks that all required information is included and that the language is understandable despite minor errors.
Here is another model for a typical Tarea 2 prompt: “Write a short message to a new friend. Tell them your name, where you live, what you study or do, and what you like.”
“¡Hola! Me llamo Rohan. Vivo en Noida, en la India. Estudio en la universidad y trabajo los fines de semana. Me gusta el fútbol y la música. ¿Y tú? Un saludo, Rohan.”
Why it works: it opens warmly, covers all four content points, uses only the present tense, and closes politely. It is about 35 words, right in the target range, with a small interactive touch (“¿Y tú?”) that shows you can engage the reader.
How to Build A1 Writing Skills From Scratch
The fastest way to prepare is to memorize a flexible self-introduction, then adapt it to different prompts while a trainer corrects your errors. Write a little every day rather than a lot once a week.
- Build a 40-word “about me” paragraph and rewrite it as a postcard, an email, and a profile.
- Practice filling sample forms quickly and accurately, since speed plus accuracy is the whole skill for Tarea 1.
- Learn five reliable opening and closing phrases for messages.
- Count your words and check every content point before you stop.
- Get your writing corrected, because you cannot see your own repeated errors.
Writing improves more through feedback than through volume. One corrected paragraph teaches more than five uncorrected ones. That feedback loop runs every week inside our online Spanish course in India, where trainers mark your writing.
Common DELE A1 Writing Mistakes to Avoid
- Attempting sentences that are too ambitious. Stick to the present tense and stay in control.
- Missing a content point. This costs real marks even when the Spanish is fine, so check the prompt’s list.
- Gender and number slips. Watch agreements like “el día” (not “la día”).
- Forgetting the opening or closing. The examiner expects both in a message.
- Wrong word count. Too short leaves content uncovered; too long wastes your tight 25 minutes.
Quick Tips to Pass DELE A1 Writing
- Plan for two minutes, write for eighteen, check for five.
- Keep sentences short and inside your comfort zone.
- Reuse your rehearsed phrases instead of inventing new ones under pressure.
- Read the prompt twice and underline each content point.
- Finish with a quick scan for accents, gender, and verb endings.
How LanguageNext Prepares You for DELE A1 Writing
Our DELE A1 writing prep is led by our founder and lead trainer, with weekly written corrections built into every batch. You learn the toolkit, drill form-filling for speed, and get personal feedback in Noida or live online. Prefer offline? Join our Spanish lessons in Noida, or book a free demo to compare formats.